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In the Cards by Cynthia Selwyn

In the Cards by Cynthia Selwyn*I received a copy of this book from Breathless Press in exchange for an honest review*

One desperate writer, one hot cowboy, silk scarves, and sexy scenarios; it’s all In the Cards.

Alexandrea Taylor writes historical fiction, not erotica. She can’t even think the word…um…p-e-n-i-s. But she wishes she could. When her editor wants her to write a story about a cowboy and a bordello using a pack of sex-aid cards, she fantasizes about buying her dream home. Except she’s sure she’s too boring in bed to imagine erotic scenarios. She can’t even keep her fiancé satisfied—she caught him in their bed with another woman. If it wasn’t for her friend Zach, she doubts she’d feel attractive at all.

Zach O’Connor would do anything for his friend, Alex. She’s the only woman he’s ever met who doesn’t treat him like a piece of meat. And now that they’re sharing a hotel room at a conference, it’s his opportunity to show her what she means to him. When she asks for his help with a sexy role-playing assignment, he knows this is his chance to show Alex she’s not only the woman of his fantasies, but the woman of his heart as well.

With some silk scarves, massage oil and imagination, it’s all in the cards.

Alex is at a weekend romance writer’s convention where her best friend Zach is putting on a special workshop for the writers. They have been best friends since they were in school. She is the only one that treats him like a person rather than an object.

She is having problems with her boyfriend and now her editor has asked her to come up with an outline for a historotica and she can’t even say the word p-e-n-i-s. Her editor provided her with a box of stuff for inspiration and Zach has offered to help with her research. The advance is huge and would allow her to buy her dream house if she can just come up with a storyline.

Zach has been in love with Alex forever but has been afraid to tell her. They are best friends and she is the only one that won’t let him get away with anything. She sees him for who he is not just some pretty face like most females. He can’t believe his luck when Alex tells him about her assignment for the weekend. He is more than willing to help her with her research and hopes he can show her how much he really cares about her.

This was such a fun story. I really liked the fact that Alex and Zach are unconventional friends. The author paired up two people that you wouldn’t expect to be friends the “pretty boy” and the bookworm. Alex appreciates Zach’s good looks but she knows that there is more to him than just his pretty face. He rescues horses, teaches children to ride and is always there for her, no matter what.

The scenes with Alex and Zach role playing were Hot!! I loved the addition of the cards and Zach’s use of them. He helped boost Alex’s confidence; she had no self esteem because of her boyfriend. She thinks she’s fat, boring and not any good in bed and it’s Zach’s job to convince her she is anything but. He thinks she is super sexy with curves in all the right places.

I was afraid for Zach as soon as he realized Alex’s microphone came on. I knew things were going to go south. I’m just glad that Zach realized that he wasn’t ready to give up on Alex. I think one of my favorite scenes was the confrontation with Zach, Alex and her boyfriend.

Overall I really enjoyed In the Cards and give it 4½ Flaming Hearts.

Cynthia stopped by the blog last month to answer some questions and talk about her books. You can read the interview here.